UMass Boston

Course Pass/Fail/Withdrawal

Announcements

  • Fall 2023: Undergraduate students may take one course each semester on a pass/fail basis, up to a maximum of eight. (Mandatory pass/fail courses do not count toward this limit.) Please view the academic calendar for deadline information.

Please note: This is an Undergraduate policy only. Graduate students do not have the option to take a course pass/fail.

The requirements of your college, major, or program may not permit you to take certain courses pass/fail. Be sure to check with your college or program BEFORE you select the pass/fail option.

  • You can file for the pass/fail option through WISER at any time after your initial registration until the deadline.
  • If you receive a grade of “F,” it will count as a failure and against your cumulative average.
  • If you successfully complete the course, you will earn a grade of “P” and the course will be counted toward your graduation requirements, but it will not affect your cumulative grade point average. 
  • Undergraduate students may take one course each semester on a pass/fail basis.  Only one course during the summer is allowed to be taken using the pass/fail grading.(Mandatory pass/fail courses do not count toward this limit.) There is a maximum of eight classes allowed to be taken using the pass/fail basis.
  • You cannot cancel a pass/fail choice after the deadline.
  • Your professor cannot see if you selected the pass/fail option when they grade. Any grade D- to A will convert to a P grade.

Course Withdrawal Option

Our Withdrawal Policy

If you do not attend classes, you will not be withdrawn automatically. Unless your instructor takes attendance and submits a grade of “NA” to the Registrar’s Office, you will receive a grade of “F” for the course.

To withdraw from a course, use the WISER system and follow these instructions.

  • You may withdraw from any individual course.
  • If you do so you will be given a grade of “W”, which will remain on your record but will not affect your cumulative grade point average.
  • You may register for the same course in another semester.
  • You cannot withdraw from a course after the deadline. You can however, withdraw from the entire semester up until the last day of the semester See University Withdrawal Policy for more information.
  • There are no refunds for individual course withdrawals. See Bursar refund schedule for information on Refund Deadlines

 

COVID-19 Pandemic Adjustments to the Pass/Fail rules for Undergraduates and Graduate Students

Summary of Adjustments to Pass/Fail Policies During the COVID-19 Pandemic

During the Spring 2020, Fall 2020, and Spring 2021 semesters, due to the difficulties that the COVID-19 pandemic imposed, in order to increase equity for students UMass Boston made adjustments to the options for P/F (for undergraduate students) and Sat/F (for graduate students) policies.

Below are the approved adjustments:

Spring 2020

Fall 2020

  • COVID-19 Pandemic Undergraduate Student Guidelines Fall 2020
  • Graduate Student Guidelines Fall 2020
    • Graduate students were permitted to opt for one course to be taken on a satisfactory/fail basis within program-based restrictions. Some courses were not allowed to be taken on a satisfactory/fail basis.

Spring 2021

 

Registrar

Campus Center, 4th Floor
UMass Boston
100 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, MA 02125
registrar@umb.edu



Phone:  617.287.6200
Fax: 617.287.6242